Yu Hanyi and Liu Liyuan perform at Jing'an Park. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Neither of them are professionally trained artists but performing music on the streets is more than a hobby - it is in fact part of Yu's full-time pursuit as a singer-songwriter. The 26-year-old, who holds a university degree in agriculture, once landed a job in the local government of his hometown but quit shortly after he realized that his true calling in life was in music.

He currently sings renditions of popular songs as well as his own creations along with his 29-year-old wife Liu, who performs only during the weekends. Liu, a real estate analyst, developed a passion for street performances during her university years in New York City in the United States.

Yu and Liu met in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, when both of them were invited to perform live shows at a friend's store. Because of their similar experiences and hobbies, they soon fell in love and got married. According to Liu, she and her husband can earn a combined 5,000 yuan ($731) per month for their street performances.